Televangelism

===Senate probe===
In 2007, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Chuck Grassley]] opened a probe into the finances of six televangelists who preach a "[[prosperity gospel]]".<ref>{{cite press release|url = https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-information-six-media-based-ministries |title = Grassley seeks information from six media-based ministries|date = 6 November 2007|access-date = 4 July 2018|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705093921/https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-seeks-information-six-media-based-ministries |archive-date = 5 July 2018}}</ref> The probe investigated reports of lavish lifestyles by televangelists including fleets of [[Rolls-Royce (car)|Rolls-Royces]], palatial mansions, private jets, and other expensive items purportedly paid for by television viewers who donate due to the ministries' encouragement of offerings. The six that were investigated are:

*[[Kenneth Copeland|Kenneth]] and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas;
*[[Creflo Dollar]] and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Georgia;
*[[Benny Hinn]] of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas;
*[[Eddie L. Long]] of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Georgia; "DocuSeries – Sex Scandals  and Religion" did a 2011 investigative episode on his alleged sexual misconduct<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelvideos/150/630/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529025257/http://www.earthbook.tv/religion/channelhome/channelvideos/150/630/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 May 2011 |title=Sex Scandals In Religion – Ep. 4: IN THE NAME OF THE LORD |publisher=Earthbook.tv |access-date=20 October 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Joyce Meyer]] and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Missouri and
*Randy White and ex-wife [[Paula White]] of the Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa.<ref>{{cite news|agency=The Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-11-07-televangelist-probe_N.htm |title=Sen. Grassley probes televangelists' finances |work=USA Today |date=7 November 2007 |access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>

On January 6, 2011 Grassley released his review of the six ministries response to his inquiry. He called for a further congressional review of tax-exemption laws for religious groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/ranking/release/?id=5fa343ed-87eb-49b0-82b9-28a9502910f7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108051906/http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/ranking/release/?id=5fa343ed-87eb-49b0-82b9-28a9502910f7 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 January 2011 |title=The United States Senate Committee on Finance: Newsroom – Ranking Member's News |publisher=Finance.senate.gov |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>